Unknown M-1917 6-ton tankThe AFV ASSOCIATION was formed in 1964 to support the thoughts and research of all those interested in Armored Fighting Vehicles and related topics, such as AFV drawings. The emphasis has always been on sharing information and communicating with other members of similar interests; e.g. German armor, Japanese AFVs, or whatever.Go to page Previous1, 2, 3Next

As I understand it, the Afghan discovered WWI TANKS (!!) are supposed to have been U.S. manufactured, FT17's (aka FT18 ?, M1918 ?).

I don't know what the exact model is called. There are some differences between 'our' M1918 & FT17, so I assume them to be different models (ie FT17 being French make & FT18 being US make of same tank).

I guess I need to add this subject to my 'gotta find out for myself' file.

Also, the French version had multi-part wooden front wheels (with an obvious ring of bolts) where the US ones had one-piece metal ones.

As Neil says, there is some controversy over 'FT-18', in fact even 'FT-17'. The French apparently only ever used the term FT, and allocating model numbers (to represent 1917 and 1918) has been done since so is not 'official'. In any case, they only apply to French vehicles, the US one is M1917 (no 'FT').

Also, the French version had multi-part wooden front wheels (with an obvious ring of bolts) where the US ones had one-piece metal ones.

Ah HA!! There are both examples here, which match up to supposed manufacturer. That makes sense, Thank you!

As Neil says, there is some controversy over 'FT-18', in fact even 'FT-17'. The French apparently only ever used the term FT, and allocating model numbers (to represent 1917 and 1918) has been done since so is not 'official'. In any case, they only apply to French vehicles, the US one is M1917 (no 'FT').

Also, the French version had multi-part wooden front wheels (with an obvious ring of bolts) where the US ones had one-piece metal ones.

However, the wooden parts of the wheels were sometimes replaced by metal parts (because of the wood decay). But the French wheel has a very different design compared to the US one, and even with metal sheets replacing wood ones, it can be easily identified as French.

No muffler on this side I believe would make this a French Renault FT17..plus I don't if this is always the case but the US tanks seem to have lifting points just to the rear of the turret and I don't seem to see any on the French models....The US models had Buda engines in them...is it snowing in chicago?

FT-17s were built (in France) by Renault. Most were used by the French army, but some were given to the US army & used in France (such as by Patton). There are very few actual FT-17s in the US. One American combat-survivor FT-17 is at the Fort Meade Museum.

M1917s were a license-built copy made in the US. Mostly used for training in the 1920s. None, that I am aware of, went to France and actually fought. A few surviving examples have bullet marks from testing...

Also, the French version had multi-part wooden front wheels (with an obvious ring of bolts) where the US ones had one-piece metal ones.

However, the wooden parts of the wheels were sometimes replaced by metal parts (because of the wood decay). But the French wheel has a very different design compared to the US one, and even with metal sheets replacing wood ones, it can be easily identified as French.

P-O

Yeah, I didnt think you could trust the wooden vs metal wheels aspect...

This one "should" be an M1917, if its the one in Wheaton, IL... For one, Hayes Otoupalik says it is, and that it was assembled from parts found in Canada in the 1990s. Which would make sense as a number of M1917s (and Mk VIII Liberty tanks) were given to Canada to start off its armored force in 1939.

Also, the French version had multi-part wooden front wheels (with an obvious ring of bolts) where the US ones had one-piece metal ones.

However, the wooden parts of the wheels were sometimes replaced by metal parts (because of the wood decay). But the French wheel has a very different design compared to the US one, and even with metal sheets replacing wood ones, it can be easily identified as French.

P-O

Yeah, I didnt think you could trust the wooden vs metal wheels aspect...

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